A change in perspective is worth 80 IQ points.
~ Alan Kay
Kristen went to an art supply trade show a few weeks ago and had a lot of interesting conversations with different manufacturers and other retailers. Of course, they introduced new products that are coming out and demo-ed how to use some of their products. As you may know, we test the products that we offer and have actual experience using them in different ways. Kristen thoroughly surprised manufacturing reps when she gave them feedback on their supplies – apparently we’re a bit of a unicorn among retailers in regard to actually using our supplies.
- This week’s artist is – Can Sun – If anyone ever told him not to play with his food, it’s a good thing he didn’t listen. He meticulously carves red apples into geometric cross-sections and linking chains, something adding accoutrements like brass hinges. Check out his instagram for even more!
- Jacob Abraham Camille Pissarro would have been 193 on Monday!
- To get great ideas, you have to pour out the lesser ones first.
- I love this concept of studio as verb.
- This short video shows a kinetic wood sculpture.
- Some of us hone our drawing skills with a pencil, but then there’s James Cook who uses a typewriter.
- The National Audubon Society has announced the winners of the 2023 Audubon Photography Awards.
- I thought it was really a lot of fun to discover that the new Spiderman movie (which is about multiple universes) has at least two different versions currently being show in theaters.
- The hardest part of packing for any trip is deciding what art supplies to take with me. Seeing José Naranja‘s detailed sketchbooks with notes, illustrations and ephemera collected during his visits provided more inspiration for my next trip.
- I’ve seen the Ponzo Illusion before, even if I didn’t know what it was called.
- Earlier this year, archaeologists excavating a block of houses in Regio IX of the Vesuvian city of Pompeii uncovered a fresco that shows a round, doughy dish resembling the modern favorite pizza.
- I recently went through and tested a variety of oil paints for the store. Here’s where I painted – which is much more space than I had when painting on an airplane recently.
- The Silver San Juan Division of National Model Railroad Association will be hosting a Model Train Open House at the Pine River Library on Saturday, July 8 from 10 AM- 5 PM. The group will have an HO Scale railroad set up all day in the Library Community Room. You can even learn how to operate trains!
- Music in the Mountains starts tomorrow and runs until the 30th. There are a lot of events, some free and some paid, and you can see the schedule here.
- This is the first Friday of the month, so it’s time for an art walk! The ArtRoom Collective’s Art Crawl is from 4pm – 7pm at the Smiley Building. Durango’s First Friday is from 4-7 at various downtown locations.
- Hear live music on Friday night’s at Fox Fire Farms! Music, food and wine. Free admission, seating on spacious lawn. Bring rain gear if there is a chance of rain. This week head out from 6-9 to hear Lisa Blue.
- The 69th Annual Four Corners Gem & Mineral Show is this weekend (Fri-Sun) at the County Fairgrounds. It’ll be full of vendors, glasses, and kids activities.
- There’s a lot of live music around town. Check out WhatsHappeningDurango.com to find who, when, and where.
- Drop by Guild House Games on Monday from 6:30-9 for the free, weekly Chess Club.
- If you’re a beginner/intermediate acoustic music player looking to play more – head to the General Palmer on Tuesday from 5:30-7:30 for the Slow Bluegrass Jam. This weekly jam is welcoming to all players, with a focus on slower tempo improvisation solos and chord changes. If you can play the I, IV and V chords in G, D and A then you know enough to play at this jam!
- Not sure about that? There’s a free 2 session workshop at the Pine River Library on July 11 and 25th, from 6-8pm. Session 1 is an intro to what goes on a jam session and some actual jamming. Then session two will be jamming on the tunes handed out at the first session. To learn more and register go here.
- There are classes/workshops/projects available at the Dancing Spirit Community Arts Center, Let’s Letter Together, the Scrapbook Nook, Create Art and Tea, the 4 Corners Gem and Mineral Club, Seed Studio, and the Durango Arts Center. There are a lot more things happening that I don’t include – so if you’re ever looking for something to do, start at WhatsHappeningDurango.com.
- We love our travel watercolor brushes – the sets from Raphael are great. Sometimes you are only looking for a single brush – so we recently brought in some individuals by Princeton. The Neptune and Aqua Elites are great brushes (they immediately had a spot in my travel set). Swing by and see why we love them so much!
One of the biggest surprises Kristen ran into was the different areas of focus among different companies. Some of the manufacturers only focus on children’s art supplies and others are only for professionals (even though we sometimes think they should expand). We try to bridge the gap and focus on the individual artist, their project, and their particular goal for it. We aim to focus on finding the right tools and materials (at the right price), no matter what your experience level. We both work with and push back against the manufacturers when we have a chance – we love art supplies and want them to make the best possible ones at the best possible prices.
No matter where you are on your creative journey, or what project you’re working on – we’re here to support you. We love hearing about your projects, enjoy helping troubleshoot and brainstorm, and are thrilled when we can point you to the right tool or material. We’re all artists here and have hands-on experience with the different materials we offer. We’re here to be the Yoda along your path. After all, the world needs your art!
Matthew & the Art Supply House crew